True Stories and Insights from Experts, Survivors and Frontline Heroes.
Rachel Jayne Cassidy
Published by Big Sky Publishing I February 2025 I RRP $34.99

Rachel Jayne Cassidy knows what it’s like to be on the brink of life and death. Her life changed in an instant when she experienced a critical heart attack that came out of the blue. In the morning she was a seemingly healthy woman but by that evening she was in intensive care grappling with the words “heart attack” Searching for a book like In a Heartbeat but not finding one while Cassidy was still in rehab sparked Rachel Jayne’s mission to help others navigate heart complications and survival.

Rachel Jayne was not the typical heart attack victim. Fit, healthy, and with no known family history of heart disease, her shock heart attack came out of the blue. “If a heart attack could happen to me, it can happen to anyone,” she says. This book is her mission to ensure others are informed, prepared, and empowered to take action.

In a Heartbeat is the first of its kind in Australia. After over five years of research, hundreds of interviews, and firsthand experiences witnessing patient care provided by leading cardiologists, Rachel Jayne has crafted an essential resource for every Australian. With heart disease claiming a life in Australia every 12 minutes, Rachel Jayne realised that, despite its devastating toll, no book like this existed—until now.

In this groundbreaking work, In a Heartbeat shares real-life, raw stories of survival, from celebrities like Paul Mercurio, Greg Page, and Greg Evans, to everyday Australians who, through a twist of fate, found themselves saving the life of a heart attack victim. Well recognised cardiologists and health professionals also share their emotional, behind-the-scenes experiences of working tirelessly to give seriously ill patients a second chance at life.

The book is a powerful collection of survival stories, each filled with hope, strength, and resilience. It provides vital information for all Australians, guiding them on how to take control of their heart health. With firsthand insights and expert guidance, In a Heartbeat is an essential tool for both cardiac patients and any member of the public looking to understand heart health in a more profound, personal way.

As noted by Associate Professor Paul Gould, “This book is a valuable resource for cardiac patients and the general public to learn more about heart health issues.”

With powerful stories, expert insights, and life-saving information, In a Heartbeat is the essential guide to heart health—and a must-read for every Australian.

About the Author 

Rachel Jayne Cassidy has appeared on TV and radio across Australia, the UK, and the USA. A passionate advocate for social justice, she’s championed causes for youth, mental health, and the welfare of women and children, including working with the late Nelson Mandela World Reconciliation Day. She has received numerous awards, including the Patch Adams Humanitarian Award and recognition in Who’s Who of Australian Women. Her works inspire and educate, drawn from her interviews with notable figures and her dedication to raising public awareness on key issues.

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